Nai Basti shopkeepers protesting for relocation before demolition of shops

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Traders in Nai Basti held a strong protest against the widening of roads and construction of a flyover by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
The agitating traders, who had gathered outside their shops in large number, claimed that the road and bridge construction works will affect their businesses which are already facing challenges due to consecutive lockdowns and the political turmoil in the region.
“This protest was observed to wake up the NHAI administration and the Union Territory Government from the deep slumber as they’re evicting people from their lands and businesses forcibly,” one of the protestors said.
“We’ve been living in Nai Basti and running our business establishments from this area for the past almost six to seven decades. Now that NHAI has been widening the roads and constructing the flyover against the will of people, Government should settle the affected people somewhere else prior to launching the forcible eviction and demolition drives,” he further said, adding that this is “pathetic.” They argued that their shops have been in operation for decades, and they are facing enough challenges due to economic downturns and political instability in the region. The protestors are demanding that the NHAI and the Union Territory Government relocate them and settle them somewhere else before starting any forced eviction or demolition drives.
They feel that their businesses and livelihoods should not be disrupted without proper arrangements being made for their relocation.
They criticised NHAI and the government for allegedly proceeding with the road widening and flyover construction plans without adequate consultation or consideration for the impact on local businesses and residents. The protestors accused them of acting against the will of the people and ignoring their
concerns.